Births on February 7

Puyi, Chinese emperor (d. 1967)

Puyi: The Tumultuous Life of China's Last Emperor

Aisin-Gioro Puyi (Chinese: 溥儀; February 7, 1906 – October 17, 1967), known by his courtesy name Yaozhi (曜之), holds a unique and poignant place in history as the twelfth and final monarch of the Qing dynasty and, consequently, the last emperor of imperial China. The concept of a courtesy name, or "zi," was a traditional East Asian practice, typically given upon reaching adulthood, often reflecting a person's character or aspirations, though Puyi's formal use of it was limited by his early reign and subsequent political upheavals.

Early Reign and the End of Imperial China

Puyi ascended the Dragon Throne in 1908 at the tender age of two, becoming the Xuantong Emperor (era name: "Xuantong," meaning "proclamation of unity"). This era name was meant to signify a hopeful future for the Qing dynasty, yet his reign was tragically short-lived. Just over three years later, the Qing dynasty, which had ruled China for nearly three centuries (1644-1912), faced insurmountable challenges from the Xinhai Revolution. This revolutionary uprising, fueled by anti-monarchical and nationalist sentiments, led to his forced abdication on February 12, 1912, marking the official end of over two millennia of imperial rule in China and the establishment of the Republic of China. Despite the abdication, Puyi was permitted to retain his imperial title, reside in the Forbidden City, and receive an annual stipend under the "Articles of Favorable Treatment of the Qing Emperor," a symbolic gesture that soon proved tenuous.

Brief Restoration and Exile in Tianjin

Puyi's life was a series of dramatic shifts in fortune. In a fleeting attempt to revive the monarchy, he was briefly restored to the throne as Qing emperor by the loyalist General Zhang Xun from July 1 to July 12, 1917. This short-lived Manchu Restoration, however, was quickly suppressed by republican forces, underscoring the irreversible decline of the imperial system. Five years later, in 1922, Puyi entered into an arranged marriage with Empress Wanrong, a common practice for emperors designed to secure political alliances and heirs. However, their union, like much of his life, was marked by tragedy and distance.

A significant turning point occurred in 1924 when Puyi was dramatically expelled from the Forbidden City by the warlord Feng Yuxiang, who sought to fully dismantle the vestiges of the Qing monarchy. Forced into exile, Puyi found refuge in Tianjin, a bustling treaty port city with significant foreign concessions. Here, cut off from his former imperial life, he began to actively engage with various factions, including Chinese warlords vying for supremacy and, crucially, the Japanese, who had long harbored ambitions for control over Chinese territory. His desperate desire to regain power made him vulnerable to external manipulation.

The Manchukuo Years: A Puppet Emperor

Puyi's association with Japan culminated in his most controversial and politically compromised role. Following the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in September 1931 (triggered by the Mukden Incident), Japan established the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932. Puyi was installed as its "chief executive" with the era name "Datong" (Ta-tung), a move designed to lend a veneer of legitimacy to the new state and appeal to the local population through the symbolic return of a Qing-affiliated leader. However, his authority was purely nominal.

In 1934, in a further consolidation of Japanese control, Puyi was declared the "Emperor of Manchukuo" with the era name "Kangde" (Kang-te), effectively elevating his status but not his power. He reigned over this new "empire" until the very end of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1945. During this third and final stint as emperor, Puyi was unmistakably a puppet of Japan. He routinely signed edicts drafted by his Japanese advisors, particularly those from the powerful Kwantung Army, and his decisions were largely dictated by Tokyo's agenda. His life in Manchukuo, primarily at the "Salt Tax Palace" in Changchun (then Hsinking), was characterized by isolation and increasing personal cruelty; reports indicate he frequently ordered his servants beaten. Tragically, his first wife, Empress Wanrong, descended into a severe opium addiction during these years, leading to a profound deterioration of their already distant relationship, reflecting the despair and powerlessness within their gilded cage.

Capture, Reeducation, and Transformation

The collapse of imperial Japan in August 1945, triggered by the Soviet invasion of Manchuria (Operation August Storm) and the atomic bombings, simultaneously brought about the end of Manchukuo. Puyi attempted to flee to Japan but was captured by Soviet forces. He was held as a prisoner of war in Siberia and later became a key witness at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, widely known as the Tokyo Trials, where he testified against his former Japanese handlers.

Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Puyi was extradited back to China in 1950. He was subsequently imprisoned for ten years at the Fushun War Criminals Management Centre, where he underwent a rigorous "reeducation" program. This process, designed to reform former imperialists and collaborators into productive citizens of the new communist state, proved to be profoundly transformative for Puyi. During this period, he tragically never saw Empress Wanrong again; she had died of starvation in a Chinese prison in 1946, a desolate end for an empress.

Upon his release in 1959, Puyi emerged a changed man. He expressed deep remorse for his past actions and complicity with the Japanese, acknowledging his role as a war criminal. He went on to write his widely acclaimed memoirs, *From Emperor to Citizen*, with the assistance of a ghostwriter, offering a unique firsthand account of his extraordinary life. In his final years, he became a titular member of both the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, roles that symbolized his complete political rehabilitation and served as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Communist Party's reeducation efforts. Puyi died in Beijing on October 17, 1967, amidst the tumultuous Cultural Revolution. He was ultimately buried in a commercial cemetery near the Western Qing tombs, a location that, while not within the imperial burial grounds themselves, subtly acknowledged his historical link to the fallen dynasty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puyi

When did Puyi become emperor for the first time?

Puyi first became emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1908 at the age of two, reigning as the Xuantong Emperor.

Why was Puyi forced to abdicate as Qing emperor?

He was forced to abdicate on February 12, 1912, due to the Xinhai Revolution, which led to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.

What was Puyi's role in Manchukuo?

Puyi served as the chief executive and later the emperor of Manchukuo, a puppet state established by Japan in Manchuria from 1932 to 1945. He largely acted under Japanese direction.

What happened to Puyi after World War II?

After Japan's defeat in 1945, Puyi was captured by Soviet forces, testified at the Tokyo Trials, and was later extradited to the People's Republic of China where he was imprisoned and reeducated as a war criminal for 10 years.

What was the significance of Puyi's "reeducation"?

His reeducation in a Chinese prison profoundly transformed him from a former emperor and collaborator into an ordinary citizen who expressed regret for his past actions, symbolizing the ideological triumph of the new communist government.

Did Puyi write memoirs?

Yes, after his release from prison, Puyi wrote his widely known memoirs titled *From Emperor to Citizen*, detailing his life from imperial rule to ordinary citizenship.